Latest News
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American Airlines will equip 500 narrow-body aircraft with Starlink Wi Fi by 2027
American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will equip more than 500 of its narrow-body aircraft, for domestic and short-haul international routes, with Starlink inflight Wi-Fi. This service is expected to be available in the first quarter 2027. The financial terms were not disclosed. Airlines around the globe have been rushing to equip their fleets with faster, more reliable in-flight internet. This is because premium travel has increased since the COVID pandemic. American offers free Wi-Fi to all its customers who are enrolled in the 'loyalty' program in partnership with AT&T on almost all its flights. As of the end of March, the carrier's mainline fleet consisted of 1,022 aircraft. This included 885 narrow body jets. Starlink is a key revenue generator for SpaceX's IPO-bound parent company, and the?satellite-broadband unit will be the only profitable business in 2025. In the last few years, several U.S. airlines have signed deals with the world's largest satellite operator. Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines are among the airlines that have signed deals with the world's largest satellite operator in recent years. The company also counts long-haul airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Dubai's Emirates and United Airlines as its customers. (Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
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Airline cancellations in response to Middle East conflict
Middle Eastern carriers increased capacity following the disruption caused by the Iran War, and airlines outside of the Gulf have rerouted flights between Europe and Asia to avoid major hubs within the region. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically. AEGEAN AIRLINES On May 21, Greece's largest airline will resume its flights from Heraklion to Tel Aviv, as well as Rhodes and Larnaca. Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights are cancelled until June 26. Erbil, Baghdad and Dubai flights are all cancelled until July 2nd. AEROFLOT The Russian flag carrier has announced that it will resume flights to the United Arab Emirates on June 1. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has announced that flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until the 28th of June. Dubai flights are cancelled until 24 October. AIR CANADA The Canadian carrier has canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu Dhabi until September 7. AIR EUROPA Spanish Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv up until the 28th of June. AIR FRANCE-KLM Air France has suspended flights to Riyadh, Riyadh and Beirut until May 26, and Tel Aviv until June 3. KLM suspends flights to Riyadh Dammam, and Dubai until 28 June. CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong Airlines has suspended all flights to Dubai, Riyadh and cargo services to Dubai and Riyadh up until May 31, and until August 31, respectively. The airline plans to continue all scheduled flights after June. The U.S. carrier plans to resume New York JFK-Tel Aviv service on September 6 and has extended the suspension of its Atlanta-Tel Aviv routes through December 18. The launch of the Boston-Tel Aviv flight, originally scheduled for late October, has been postponed until further notice. EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES All flights to Dubai have been cancelled until 31 May. FINNAIR Finnair has cancelled all Doha flights up to July 2 and continues to avoid the airspaces of Iraq, Iran Syria, and Israel. The airline will not resume Dubai flights until October. British Airways, owned by IAG, has delayed the resumption of flights to Dubai and Doha until August 1. The airline also plans to reduce Middle East flights when they resume and to permanently drop Jeddah from its list of destinations. The airline also plans to reduce its services to Dubai and Doha to one flight per day. Iberia Express, the Spanish low-cost carrier of IAG, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until May 31. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines has suspended its scheduled Tokyo-Doha and Doha-Tokyo flight until July 31, and until August 1. The Polish airline has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv till May 30. The airline has also cancelled its flights to Riyadh up until June 30, and to Beirut between March 31 and June 27. LOT will operate its winter route from Dubai to Riyadh in October. LUFTHANSA GROUP Austrian Airlines plans to restart flights to Tel Aviv on June 1. SWISS, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa plan to resume flights in July. Brussels Airlines suspended its operations until October 24, ITA Airways, SWISS, and Lufthansa will continue to suspend their flights to Dubai through September 13. Lufthansa has suspended all flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman and Beirut until October 24, while SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines have suspended flights to Riyadh and Erbil. Eurowings, a low-cost airline, has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until July 9, Erbil and Dubai until June 22, and Amman and Abu Dhabi until October 24. ITA Airways has also extended its suspension of flights to Riyadh until June 30. MALAYSIA Airlines will resume limited service to Doha on July 2. NORWEGIAN AIR The low-cost carrier has delayed the launch of its Tel Aviv, Beirut and Beirut services until June 15. PEGASUS Pegasus Airlines, Turkey's national airline, has cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam Riyadh Abu Dhabi Sharjah until June 1. QANTAS Australia's national carrier has added flights to Rome, Paris and London to meet the increased demand for European destinations. The number of flights to Paris is increasing from three to five per week. Perth-Singapore will also increase from a daily service to ten per week. A new schedule will be implemented gradually for flights starting in mid-April and running until late July. QATAR AIRWAYS From June 16, it will also expand its international flight network by more than 150 destinations. ROYAL MAROC Moroccan carrier announced that flights to Doha and Dubai will be cancelled until 30 June. SINGAPORE Airlines In response to a?higher demand, the?carrier has extended the suspension of its Singapore-Dubai flights until August 2. It will also add?services between late March and October 24 on Singapore-London Gatwick as well as Singapore-Melbourne. TURKISH AIRLINES SunExpress, Turkish Airlines joint venture with Lufthansa has cancelled flights until June 30, including to Dubai, Amman and Bahrain. WIZZ AIR Low-cost airlines will resume their flights to Tel Aviv from May 28, but flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as flights to Amman in Jordan remain suspended from destinations on the mainland of Europe until mid-September. All flights to Medina have been suspended permanently. (Compiled by Josephine Mason and Jamie Freed. Elviira Loma, Tiago Branao, Agnieszka Olenka, Bernadette HOG, Boleslaw LaSocki, Romolo Tosiani. Matt Scuffham and Alexander Smith edited by Milla Nissi, Susan Fenton, Jonathan Ananda, Milla Nissi-Prussak, and Jonathan Ananda.
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European winter power premium is highest since 2022 due to gas and hydro shortages
Data shows that European winter electricity contracts trade at a premium of over 20% to the benchmark for next year. This is the highest since the energy crisis in 2022. Low gas stocks and shrinking reserves of hydropower raise the risk of higher energy prices. The Strait of Hormuz has largely been at a standstill since the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran began in 'late 'February. Wholesale energy prices have risen due to the disruption of energy supply. LSEG data show that winter baseload contracts in Germany and Italy -- the two European markets most reliant upon gas-fired power generation -- are currently trading at more than EUR110 per megawatt-hour (MWh) or EUR120/MWh. This is more than a fifth higher than the price for 2027, which was around EUR92/MWh or EUR104/MWh. The steep premium, a backwardation structure in which contracts for the near future cost more than those with a later date, signals a serious concern about winter supply. Gas: HORMUZ SQUEEZE Concerns centre around the gas market. In retaliation to the US, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz from liquefied gas shipments. Israeli and U.S. strikes have removed about a fifth from global LNG supplies and increased competition between Europe, Asia and the Middle East for flexible cargoes. This has made it difficult for Europe to build up?storage before the winter. Gas inventories have fallen to 38.2% capacity, far below the seasonal average of 52%. This is well below the 90% European Union target for November 1 according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. With 160 days left until the EU deadline the injection rate would have to be nearly doubled to reach the goal. The storage levels are now lower than they were in 2022 when Europe was scrambling to find alternatives to Russian gas pipelines following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Equinor, a Norwegian company, has warned about a potential security of supply issue. Equinor executives warned this month that Europe may face a gas shortage if there is a prolonged disruption of the Hormuz pipeline. BNP Paribas' analyst Jason Ying says that European power prices may rise if the strait is blocked again this summer, if gas storage remains tight, and if the current water shortage persists. Gas prices are currently EUR46/MWh at the Dutch TTF Hub, but they do not include a winter premium yet, said Jason Ying. The weather adds a new layer of uncertainty. Forecasters are expecting an El Nino climate pattern this year. This could mean a milder European Winter, which would ease heating demand, but also a warmer, drier Summer, which would worsen the hydropower production. HYDRO: A DECADE OF LOW Hydropower production is already under strain. The low snowfall 'last winter will limit reservoir filling over the summer. LSEG data show that the combined hydrological equilibrium for continental Europe and Nordics - a'measure of the available generation capacity held in reservoirs and snow and soil - is at its lowest level in a decade. Nordic and Alpine countries depend on flexible hydropower for peak winter demand, and to balance grids when gas prices spike or renewable output drops. Hydropower constraints exacerbated stress in the European energy system during the 2022 gas crises. Traders?said that low reservoirs this year could have the same effect. Italy is most vulnerable to future price increases because it depends on both hydropower and gas. Germany is also under pressure due to rising gas prices and weaker imports by?hydro dependent Alpine and Nordic neighbors, Evan Kyritsis said, an analyst at Swiss energy company Axpo. He said that "the buffers which would normally be present -- full Alpine reservoirs and ample Nordic hydro as well as comfortable LNG availability -- were absent this year." A prolonged Hormuz shutdown or further gas price spikes would be the most damaging to front-year contracts on gas-dependent markets, since those prices directly reflect increased fuel costs.
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Sweden will halve the monthly price of public transport passes ahead of elections
The right-wing government of Sweden announced on Tuesday that it had 'agreed' to halve the monthly price of public transport passes by 2026. This will provide relief to households before the September parliamentary elections. Simona Mohamsson, Liberals Party leader and Education Minister, said that the 'temporary cuts' beginning July 1 are expected to cost $699 million. Prior to the announcement of these measures, the government had announced that it would reduce fuel taxes temporarily and provide electricity bill refunds to households. It also provided support for airlines. Energy Minister Ebba busch said at a press briefing on Tuesday that "we are experiencing the 'worst?energy crisis the world has?ever?seen". From April, the minority government, which "cooperates closely" with the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats Party, temporarily reduced VAT on food to boost household economies.
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Applied Aerospace & Defense to IPO in the US with a valuation of $3.59 billion
Applied Aerospace & Defense, a private equity-backed 'government contractor', is aiming for a IPO valuation of up to $3.59bn in the U.S. as a number of companies are looking to capitalise on investor interest in the sector amid increased geopolitical tensions. The Huntsville-based company said it was seeking to raise as much as $682,5 million by selling a total of 32.5 million shares at a price between $18 and $20 each. Retail investors are more receptive to companies like Applied Aerospace & Defense, which is looking for a hedge against global instabilities as the Middle East conflict drags on and 'defense budgets increase. The contractor produces a wide range of products for space and defense technology companies, including fuselages, flight controls surfaces, solid rocket motor cases, and engine shafts. (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Ananda, Bengaluru)
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EasyJet is under investigation by Italy's antitrust authorities over its baggage pricing
The Italian antitrust authority announced on Tuesday that it had 'opened an investigation' into the budget airline easyJet over alleged unfair business practices related to baggage charges. The authority stated that the company's app and website advertised only the average prices for "checked luggage and sports equipment" on round-trips, but made bundle purchases the default option even when customers didn't want them. The company said that consumers could be misled about the price of each leg. They would need to interrupt the booking process online to change the default option. EasyJet stated in an email that it had "always acted according to applicable consumer laws and remains committed" to ensuring fairness and transparency for its customers. "We will cooperate fully?with the authority during its investigation." "We will carefully review the authority's notification?and determine our next steps," said the statement. Reporting by Gianluca Smeraro; Editing by Cristina Carlevaro Bernadette B. Baum, and Jan Harvey
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Source: Belgium train crashes with school bus killing multiple people
Sources say that a 'collision' between a 'train and a bus killed several people in Buggenhout, Belgium on Tuesday morning. The accident happened early on Tuesday morning at a level crossing about 1 km from Buggenhout Station. In a post to?X, Bernard Quintin stated that he was "deeply saddened" by the accident in Buggenhout. He did not give any further details. The spokesperson for the Belgian Police did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Accidents at level crossings have a long history in Belgium, a country where a dense rail network crosses towns and villages. Infrabel, the railway infrastructure operator, says on its website that five people died in these accidents in 2025. This is the lowest number since 2020. (Reporting and editing by Richard Lough; Inti Landauro)
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Source: India is preparing an interim report, not a final one, as the anniversary of the Air India crash approaches.
Indian officials investigating the deadly Air India crash last year are not preparing a final report but rather an interim one in anticipation of the anniversary date of the 'Boeing accident which killed 260 people. A person who spoke to the media said that the interim report of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) would be "more comprehensive than the preliminary report released last July" and examine possible primary cause and other contributing factors. The preliminary report of 15 pages into the aviation industry’s deadliest accident in the last decade revealed that the Dreamliner’s engine fuel switches were flipped almost at the same time, starving the engines of fuel soon after the flight took off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. According to an early assessment by U.S. officials reported last year, a cockpit recording of the dialogue between the pilots supports the belief that the captain stopped the fuel flow to the plane's engine. At the time, the?AAIB stated that it was "too soon to draw any conclusions". The Indian authorities are not required to inform the United States of their findings in advance by releasing an interim report. National Transportation Safety Board, which is taking part in the investigation due to the fact that the aircraft was manufactured and designed in the United States. The NTSB could comment on the final report. This would also give closure to the families of crash victims. The final report won't be ready for the anniversary of the crash because "it's a complex investigation that takes time," said the individual. They added the interim report needed to be presented to the government authorities and the timing of the final report was still unclear. Another source who was familiar with the situation said that investigators are still working on this investigation and need more time. Both sources spoke under condition of anonymity, as the internal workings of the investigation were private. Internationally, the final report must be submitted within one year after an accident. However, investigations can take a long time. If this is not possible, then an interim statement is required to be released on each anniversary. AAIB, the Indian civil aviation ministry, and Air India have not responded to requests for comment via email. AAIB Chief GVG Yugandhar did not return calls or messages seeking comments. Consultation Process International Civil Aviation Organization, an agency of the United Nations, sets up a process for consultation with states participating in draft final reports. The usual comment period is 30 days, but can be extended to 60. The same process is not applicable to interim statements. The U.S. -NTSB and the Montreal based ICAO, who are supporting the investigation, have declined to comment. Boeing, which serves as a technical advisor to the investigation and is seeking comment from the AAIB, declined to make any comments. Ethiopian investigators in the March 2019 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX issued a detailed interim investigation report within a month, but the 'final report' was not released until December 2022, even though the NTSB received a draft version as early as January 2021. The NTSB released a public criticism of certain aspects?of the Ethiopian Report. LONDON FUEL SHIFT INCIDENT Preparations for an interim Air India statement are being made in parallel with a separate investigation into fuel switches reported by pilots on a flight of the Air India Dreamliner from London to Bengaluru, February last year. The?pilots in that incident observed that during the engine start, the fuel switches were not fixed in the "run position" on the first two tries when light vertical pressure was applied. However, they were stable on the third attempt before takeoff. The incident was reported when they landed in India. Indian aviation officials, from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, (DGCA), will travel to Seattle in June to observe Boeing's testing of the switches. Indian officials described the switches as "sensitive" via confidential emails. The switch, which was at the heart of the crash investigation last year, has been brought back into the spotlight. The first person who spoke to me said that some investigators in the Air India crash investigation were unaware of the DGCA Seattle visit. Boeing said that it "supports" Air India, and UK authorities are still investigating the incident. The DGCA has not responded to a comment request. Reporting by Abhijith Gaapavaram, New Delhi; Allison Lampert, Montreal; editing by Aditya K.alra and Jamie Freed
On its first day, Sweden's Karsan autonomous bus was hit by a tram.
The public transport organizer said that a'self-driving' bus, made by Turkey’s Karsan, was hit?from behind? by a tram in Gothenburg (Sweden) on Monday. This happened just one hour after the bus began to carry paying passengers.
The bus braked, and the tram hit it, said Patrik Chi, a spokesperson for Vasttrafik. Vasttrafik is owned by the'regional public transportation authority.
Chi claims that the collision did not cause any injuries. However, Gothenburg is currently undergoing a 'year-long trial for autonomous public transport using Karsan e-ATAK buses.
Karsan stated in a Tuesday statement that the full details of this incident are being evaluated.
Karsan stated that based on the initial findings it appears the incident was a traffic-related issue occurring in the flow of traffic within urban areas, and not an issue relating to the autonomous driving system.
On the website of?public broadcaster SVT, footage showed the damage done to the bus and a banner at its rear that read: "Keep Distance! The bus could 'brake strongly.
Chi stated that the circumstances surrounding the collision should 'be investigated. He added that there was a'safety driver on board the bus who was prepared to take over if necessary. Reporting by Jesus Calero Editing Bernadettebaum and Barbara Lewis
(source: Reuters)